Industry Trends

December 2020

See what has been happening in Asia’s pharma and personal care industries over the last weeks. What are experts and industry magazines talking about?

What has been happening?

Coco industry upbeat about antiviral effects of coco oil, Why anti-aging products are so expensive, White biotech perfumery will ‘continue to grow’ as sustainable demands rise, and more. See what journals and industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.

Latest Industry Articles

Hypertension at Middle Age Associated With Cognitive Decline

Drugs.com

Hypertension at younger or older middle ages is associated with cognitive decline in different abilities, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in Hypertension. 

Dogs can detect coronavirus in people

BusinessWorld

Trained dogs can identify people with COVID-19, even those with no symptoms, according to researchers. In the preliminary study published on Thursday in PLoS One, dogs who sniffed swab samples of armpit sweat could tell which samples came from COVID-19 patients and which were from people who tested negative for the new coronavirus.

Anti-aging treatment restores sight in mice

Daily Tribune

Scientists said Wednesday they have restored sight in mice using a “milestone” treatment that returns cells to a more youthful state and could one day help treat glaucoma and other age-related diseases.
The process offers the tantalizing possibility of effectively turning back time at the cellular level, helping cells recover the ability to heal damage caused by injury, disease and age.

Why you should keep a beady eye on beauty's eye care actives
Cosmetics Business

The skin around the eyes is frequently one of the first areas to show signs of ageing. Fortunately, it’s been a favoured target of beauty ingredient suppliers in recent months
Scientists Used Crispr To Edit HIV-Like Viruses In Monkey DNA

Forbes

Scientists have used Crispr gene-editing to remove an HIV-like virus from monkey DNA, a major step towards a cure for HIV infection in humans.

AHF to Wealthy Nations: ‘Stop Enforcement of COVID-19 VAX Patents!’
Business Wire Health

Following a World Trade Organization meeting where member states failed to reach an agreement on waiving the enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments – AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) calls on wealthy nations to put public interest and people everywhere ahead of profits by agreeing to forego enforcing IP protection on any medicines or vaccines related to COVID-19.
US authorizes Moderna as second COVID-19 vaccine
Daily Tribune

The United States on Friday authorized Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, paving the way for six million doses of a second vaccine to soon begin shipping across the hardest-hit country in the world. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief Stephen Hahn said: “With the availability of two vaccines now for the prevention of Covid-19, the FDA has taken another crucial step in the fight against this global pandemic.
Australia Drops Promising Covid-19 Vaccine After Volunteers Falsely Tested Positive For HIV
Forbes

A protein fragment used in the vaccine could induce an immune response great enough to signal a false positive in some HIV tests.
Thailand to allow use of cannabis in cosmetic products
Global Cosmetics News

Thailand has made a landmark decision to allow the use of most parts of cannabis and hemp for cosmetics and food, with individuals and businesses now also being able to cultivate hemp seed and seed extract.
Pompeo offers ‘best’ try on vaccine deal
The Manila Times Online

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. bared on Saturday that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will give it his “best try” to help the Philippines get even “a fraction” of the Pfizer vaccine deal after the Philippines’ top diplomat reported that “someone dropped the ball” during the negotiations.
Southeast Asia COVID-19 vaccine tracker: who will get what, when
BusinessWorld

In the evolving race for COVID-19 vaccines, Indonesia has taken the apparent lead in Southeast Asia with the delivery of vaccines from China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd. this month. Southeast Asia’s biggest and most populous economy has also announced multiple agreements to receive potential vaccines, as the nation fights the worst coronavirus outbreak in the region.
Indonesia's MUI to issue fatwa on Covid-19 vaccine amid concerns over halal status
Asia One

The relevant authorities in Indonesia have finished a study on the halal status of a possible Covid-19 vaccine. Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said on Monday (Dec 7) that based on the halal requirement, the Indonesian Ulema (MUI) had finished its study on the Sinovac vaccine and would issue a fatwa soon, antaranews.com reported.
Philippine coco industry has sufficient VCO capacity to fight COVID-19

Manila Bulletin

The Philippine coconut industry has more than enough untapped capacity to meet the anticipated growth in demand for virgin coconut oil (VCO) which has shown to significantly reduce COVID-19 symptoms in tests.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) revealed recently that VCO significantly decreased symptoms in suspected and probable Covid-19 cases in as early as the second day of testing.

Thai start-up making 'good progress' on Covid-19 vaccine
Asia One

A Thai pharmaceutical start-up will (on Dec 14) sign a deal to produce experimental doses of its Covid-19 vaccine for use in human trials. Baiya Phytopharm is among several Thai organisations making progress towards a vaccine for the virus.
Eco and ethical: Digital-savvy millenials pushing retailer Watsons SG to expand clean beauty offerings
CosmeticsDesign

Health and beauty retailer Watsons Singapore is aiming to expand its portfolio of clean beauty brands as more consumers, especially millenials, become more conscious of their environmental impact

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